The Vatican will soon join the United Nations' Climate Convention, allowing it to become party to the Paris Climate Accords adopted in 2015.
In a statement, the Vatican said that by joining itself to the landmark agreement negotiated by 196 parties, it intends “to contribute and to give its moral support to the efforts of all States to cooperate...in an effective and appropriate response to the challenges posed by climate change to humanity and to our common home.”
As per the terms of the agreement, only member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change can become parties to the Paris Agreement. As an observer state, the Holy See had to first apply to join UN body in order to accede to the treaty.
The move will be a significant gesture as the Vatican rallies nations to propose more ambitious climate goals ahead of the COP27 climate conference in Egypt this November.
JM
